Cedar wood
Encyclopedia
Cedar wood comes from several different trees that grow in different parts of the world, and may have different uses.
- California incense-cedar, from Calocedrus decurrensCalocedrus decurrensCalocedrus decurrens is a species of conifer native to western North America, with the bulk of the range in the United States, from central western Oregon through most of California and the extreme west of Nevada, and also a short distance into northwest Mexico in northern Baja California...
, is the primary type of wood used for making pencils - Taiwan incense-cedar, comes from Calocedrus formosanaCalocedrus formosanaCalocedrus formosana is a conifer endemic to Taiwan.-Descriptions:It is a medium-size tree to 20-25 m tall, with a trunk up to 3 m diameter...
, an endangered species that has been over-harvested for its fragrant decay-resistant wood - Chinese incense-cedar, comes from Calocedrus macrolepisCalocedrus macrolepisCalocedrus macrolepis is a conifer native to southwest China , northern Vietnam, northern Laos, extreme northern Thailand and northeastern Myanmar....
, which has been over-harvested for its fragrant decay-resistant wood - Cigar-box cedar or Spanish cedar, from Cedrela odorataCedrela odorataCedrela odorata . The genus Cedrela has undergone two major systematic revisions since 1960. The most recent revision reduced the number of species in the genus to seven . The common cedro, Cedrela odorata L., embraces 28 other named species, including C. mexicana M. J...
, is fragrant, insect-repellent, and light-weight, primarily used to protect clothing from insects - Cedar from Cedrus, was once an important timber in the Mediterranean area, used for building and ship-building, but severely overexploited for thousands of years.
- Port Orford cedar, from the western North American tree Chamaecyparis lawsonianaChamaecyparis lawsonianaChamaecyparis lawsoniana is a cypress in the genus Chamaecyparis, family Cupressaceae, known by the name Lawson's Cypress in the horticultural trade, or Port Orford-cedar in its native range . C...
, is light-weight and durable, and particularly valued in east Asia - Japanese cedar, from Cryptomeria japonicaCryptomeriaCryptomeria is a monotypic genus of conifer in the cypress family Cupressaceae formerly belonging to the family Taxodiaceae; it includes only one species, Cryptomeria japonica . It is endemic to Japan, where it is known as Sugi...
, is a light-weight wood used in house-building - Mexican white cedar from Cupressus lusitanicaCupressus lusitanicaCupressus lusitanica, ; Cedro Blanco means White Cedar and is also known as Mexican White Cedar, is a species of cypress native to Mexico and Central America...
, comes from a drought-resistant tree that has been widely cultivated for its timber for centuries - Eastern red cedar from Juniperus virginianaJuniperus virginianaJuniperus virginiana is a species of juniper native to eastern North America, from southeastern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, east of the Great Plains...
, is soft, red, fine-grained, fragrant, and decay-resistant, often used for fence posts - Ceylon cedar from Melia azedarachMelia azedarachMelia azedarach is a species of deciduous tree in the mahogany family, Meliaceae, that is native to Pakistan, India, Indochina Southeast Asia and Australia...
, is a high-quality timber that resembles teak - Western red cedar from Thuja plicataThuja plicataThuja plicata, commonly called Western or pacific red cedar, giant or western arborvitae, giant cedar, or shinglewood, is a species of Thuja, an evergreen coniferous tree in the cypress family Cupressaceae native to western North America...
, is soft red-brown, aromatic, decay-resistant, used for outdoor construction, shingles, and guitar-making, - Northern white cedar from Thuja occidentalisThuja occidentalisThuja occidentalis is an evergreen coniferous tree, in the cypress family Cupressaceae, which is widely cultivated for use as an ornamental plant known as American Arbor Vitae. The endemic occurrence of this species is a northeastern distribution in North America...
, comes from a relatively small tree, and is used for canoe-making, log cabins, fences, and shingles - Australian red cedar from Toona ciliataToona ciliataAustralian Red Cedar , Toona ciliata is a forest tree in the family Meliaceae which grows throughout southern Asia from Afghanistan to Papua New Guinea and Australia. In Australia its natural habitat is now extensively cleared subtropical rainforests of New South Wales and Queensland...
, is red, highly valued, and easy to work, used for furniture-making and ship-building
See also
- Cedar (disambiguation)Cedar (disambiguation)Cedar may refer to:* Cedar wood, wood comes from several different trees that grow in different parts of the world, and may have different uses-Pinaceae family:*Cedrus or cedar, a genus of coniferous trees in the plant family Pinaceae...
- Red Cedar (disambiguation)
- White Cedar (disambiguation)